OTHER TECH

Step 5: Listen at Home

Okay. After an afternoon of in-store listening, you've found the speaker system with a kick-ass, rile-the-neighbors subwoofer and satellites that provide smooth and natural music playback as well as exciting and immersive movie sound. You're ready to plunk down your plastic. But first, make sure the dealer has a return policy - because your audition isn't over. You have to listen at home.

Set up the speakers in your home (lift with your legs, not your back) and then use your receiver's setup menu to time-align the speakers relative to their placement and adjust their levels. (A sound-pressure level meter - $35 at RadioShack - is an invaluable tool for this.) Before you do anything else, make sure the speakers pass the Spousal Acceptance Test. If she has an issue, resolve it now. Then get out your disc wallet again. If your spouse wasn't with you at the store, it's doubly important for her to listen now.

Use the same songs that you auditioned in the store and try to discern whether they sound at least as good in your home. Does the front L/R pair still sound warm and smooth? Is dialogue in the center speaker intelligible over a wide range of seating positions? Do the surround speakers impart a realistic sense of ambience? Does the subwoofer have enough oomph to shake the walls?

Since speaker placement can have a big impact on sound quality, move the satellite speakers and subwoofer around until you find the optimal locations. If something really bugs you - and it can take a while for an irritation to sink in - call the dealer and invoke your round-trip privileges. Many stores have a limited-time refund policy, and some even provide upgrading privileges - you can apply the original price to the purchase of more-expensive speakers. So save your boxes.

If the speakers pass your at-home evaluation, head directly to the record store and treat yourself to $100 worth of new music and movies. Then break out the popcorn and enjoy.

Auditioning speakers can be arduous. As on American Idol, you have to sift through a lot of trash to find the gems. But there are lots of gems out there. And remember: Most people don't fall in love with their DVD players or receivers, but many do fall in love with their speakers and fondly reminisce about their favorites. That's because speakers are as unique as people, and each speaks with its own voice. Find the one that speaks to you.